Stake for securing inflatable devices

ABSTRACT

A method of securing an inflatable device with an inflatable securing device. The method includes providing the securing device, the inflatable security device having a body with a first and second ends, the first end having a tapered, pointed tip and the second end having a loop formed thereon, the body further including a middle portion between the first and second end having a spiral shape. Then, providing the inflatable, which has at least one securing strap attached thereto. The method further includes securing the device into a surface by using the loop on the second end of the securing device as a handle and employing a screwing motion to drive the tapered, pointed tip of the first end of the inflatable securing device into the surface; and, attaching the at least one securing strap of the inflatable to the loop on the second end of the securing device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to safety devices for securing inflatables, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for securing inflatable jumpers and bouncers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Inflatable attractions such as bouncers (also known as “moon bouncers”) and jumpers that provide jumping surfaces, slides, or crawl spaces have become popular for gatherings planned for children or where children are present. For example, these attractions are often found at birthday parties, carnivals, picnics, festivals and fairs. Some reasons for the popularity of these attractions with event planners are the low cost of rental, portability, and ease of operation and setup. Other inflatable attractions and advertisement devices such as inflatable domes, inflatable games, inflatable tents, air puppets, cold air advertisement balloons, blimps, and animals have also seen more widespread use for the same reasons listed above, as well as because of the fanciful shapes, colors and sizes that can be created to attract and appeal to a wide variety of audiences.

One typical concern that is common to the use of all inflatable attractions is the stability of the inflatable attraction. Because these structures are typically large, being designed as self-standing enclosures that are meant to fit several children (or even adults) and filled with air, they are generally bulky and have a large cross-section. Thus, in one common scenario, a large gust of wind will topple the inflatable attraction. Further, children playing around the inflatable attraction may tip the inflatable attraction over, thereby causing the blower to become detached from the inflatable attraction as well as potentially causing injuries.

Often, the inflatable attractions are only rented, and, once the attraction is set up, the rental company will leave and not monitor the attraction. If there is a problem with the inflatable attraction being toppled, the renter may not want to pay for the rental or, even worse if there are injuries, sue the rental company. Some unscrupulous renters will use this as an excuse to not pay for the rental even if the inflatable attraction never toppled over. Thus, upon return to pickup the inflatable attraction and blower, if the renter submits that the inflatable attraction was not stable and fell over, the rental company will not have a way to verify that the inflatable attraction remained standing.

Accordingly, there is a need to overcome the issues noted above.

SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides an inflatable securing device and a method for its use to secure inflatables to surfaces such as a ground surface or other solid surfaces.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inventive process includes the steps of providing an inflatable securing device, the inflatable securing device having a body with a first end and a second end, the first end having a tapered, pointed tip and the second end having a loop formed thereon, the body further including a middle portion between the first end and the second end having a spiral shape. The inventive process also includes the step of providing the inflatable, the inflatable having at least one securing strap attached thereto, and securing the inflatable securing device into a surface by using the loop on the second end of the inflatable securing device as a handle and employing a screwing motion to drive the tapered, pointed tip of the first end of the inflatable securing device into the surface. Finally, the inventive process includes the step of attaching the at least one securing strap of the inflatable to the loop on the second end of the inflatable securing device.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a secure inflatable system includes an inflatable securing device, the inflatable security device having a body with a first end and a second end, the first end having a tapered, pointed tip and the second end having a loop formed thereon, the body further including a middle portion between the first end and the second end and having a spiral shape, the middle portion screwed into a surface. The secure inflatable system further includes an inflatable, the inflatable having at least one loop attached thereto; and, a coupling strap, the coupling strap attached to the inflatable and to the inflatable securing device, wherein the coupling strap has a first portion secured to the at least one loop of the inflatable device and a second portion secured to the loop on the second end of the body of the inflatable securing device.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. It is to be understood, however, that the detailed description of the various embodiments and specific examples, while indicating preferred and other embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more readily understood by referring to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an inflatable securing device configured in accordance to one preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cut-away view of a surface in which the inflatable securing device of FIG. 1 has been installed in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is perspective view of an inflatable secured to the surface through the use of the inflatable securing device of FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the inflatable securing device taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 1.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates an inflatable securing device 100 for securing an inflatable attraction (inflatable) that is configured in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the inflatable securing device 100 includes a pointed tip 102 on one end that gradually tapers into a corkscrew-shaped body 106. The inflatable securing device 100 also includes a loop 110 on a second end that provides an opening (or eye) to secure an inflatable. Thus, using loop 110, a strap or rope affixed to the inflatable may be quickly attached to the inflatable securing device 100.

In one preferred embodiment, the inflatable securing device 100 may be formed from a wire 120 (or, a rod of steel or other suitable material), and the body 106 thereof being coiled so as to form a spiral that terminates in pointed tip 102 with an angled portion 104. FIG. 4 is a view down the longitudinal length of the inflatable securing device 100 as a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of the body 106. On the other end of the body 106 is the loop 110, set off from the body with a longitudinal stem 108. The longitudinal stem 108 merges into the loop 110, which, as discussed above, is a laterally extending elongated loop constituting a head portion 112 thereof.

In one preferred embodiment, an end 114 of the wire 120 may be soldered back onto the wire 120 itself to form the loop 110. In another preferred embodiment, the wire 120 may be bent and wrapped around the stem 108 so as to prevent the loop 110 from pulling open when subjected to forces used to insert and remove the inflatable securing device 100. In addition, although the shape of the loop 110 is circular in the figure, it should be noted that the shape of the loop 110 may be of other shapes, such as triangular, rectangular, or of another geometric shape.

FIG. 2 illustrates the insertion of the inflatable securing device 100 in a surface 250, such as a ground surface or another solid surface into which the inflatable securing device 100 may be inserted. In using the inflatable securing device 100, the pointed tip 102 is first placed on the surface 250. Then, the pointed tip 102 is forced into the surface 250 by a rotational (screwing) action of the inflatable securing device 100. In one preferred embodiment, a user may apply the rotational forces to the inflatable securing device 100 through the use of the loop 110 as a handle. In another embodiment, a metal rod or other handle may be attached to the loop 110 to be used as a handle or to provide additional leverage.

As the inflatable securing device 100 is rotated, the corkscrew-shaped body 106 is screwed into surface 250. Where the surface 250 is a ground surface, this action serves to force the inflatable securing device 100 through and between any buried items in the ground, such as rocks, twigs, roots or pebbles, so that after the inflatable securing device 100 has been positioned in the ground, the only way to withdraw it will be by unscrewing it. Once the inflatable securing device 100 has been driven into surface 250, it will be firmly anchored and will be removable by the unscrewing of the inflatable securing device 100.

Referring to FIG. 3 and also continuing to refer to FIG. 2, after the inflatable securing device 100 has been secured to the surface 250, a strap 202 from an inflatable 302 may be attached to the loop 110 of inflatable securing device 100 using a clip 204. Other retaining devices such as a ring, hook, or other suitable fastener may also be used. In one preferred embodiment, the inflatable 302 has an attachment strap affixed to each corner of its base. For example, the inflatable 302 may be secured to a plurality of inflatable securing devices 100 a-100 d (100 d is not visible) through the use of a respective plurality of attachment straps 202 a-202 d (202 d is not visible). In another preferred embodiment, the inflatable 302 has an attachment strap affixed to each side of its base. The attachment straps may also be attached to the edges of the inflatable 302. Depending on the shape of the inflatable 302, other locations of the inflatable 302, such as the top or upper portion of the inflatable 302 may be suitable for locating the attachment straps.

The use of multiple straps provides additional stability and security for the inflatable 302. Depending on the specific configuration and size of the straps, multiple straps may be affixed to one inflatable securing device, or multiple inflatable securing devices used to secure each strap. Further, the inflatable 302 may include attachment loops (not shown) sewn thereon, to which an attachment strap having clips on either end may be clipped. The other end of the attachment strap would then be clipped onto the opening 110 of the inflatable securing device.

The embodiments described above are exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art may now make numerous uses of, and departures from, the above-described embodiments without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed herein. Accordingly, the present invention is to be defined solely by the scope of the following claims. 

1. A method of securing an inflatable comprising the steps of: providing an inflatable securing device, the inflatable securing device having a body with a first end and a second end, the first end having a tapered, pointed tip and the second end having a loop formed thereon, the body further including a middle portion between the first end and the second end having a spiral shape; providing the inflatable, the inflatable having at least one securing strap attached thereto; securing the inflatable securing device into a surface by using the loop on the second end of the inflatable securing device as a handle and employing a screwing motion to drive the tapered, pointed tip of the first end of the inflatable securing device into the surface; and, attaching the at least one securing strap of the inflatable to the loop on the second end of the inflatable securing device.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of securing the inflatable securing device into the surface by using the loop on the second end of the inflatable securing device as a handle comprise the step of continuing the screwing motion until the middle portion of the inflatable securing device is under the surface.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the inflatable includes a second securing strap and the method further comprising the steps of: providing a second inflatable securing device having a body with a first end and a second end, the first end having a tapered, pointed tip and the second end having a loop formed thereon, the body further including a middle portion between the first end and the second end having a spiral shape; securing the second inflatable securing device into the surface by using the loop on the second end of the second inflatable securing device as a handle and employing a screwing motion to drive the tapered, pointed tip of the first end of the second inflatable securing device into the surface; and, attaching the second securing strap of the inflatable to the loop on the second end of the second inflatable securing device.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the inflatable has a polygonal shape and the at least one securing strap is attached to a corner of the base.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the inflatable has a polygonal shape and the at least securing strap is attached to an edge of the base.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein a portion of the first end of the inflatable securing device adjacent to the tapered, pointed tip has an axis, the axis being parallel to a body axis of the body of the inflatable securing device, the body axis being defined by a line from the first end to the second end.
 7. A secure inflatable system comprising: an inflatable securing device, the inflatable securing device having a body with a first end and a second end, the first end having a tapered, pointed tip and the second end having a loop formed thereon, the body further including a middle portion between the first end and the second end and having a spiral shape, the middle portion screwed into a surface; an inflatable, the inflatable having at least one loop attached thereto; and, a coupling strap, the coupling strap attached to the inflatable and to the inflatable securing device, wherein the coupling strap has a first portion secured to the at least one loop of the inflatable device and a second portion secured to the loop on the second end of the body of the inflatable securing device.
 8. The secure inflatable system of claim 7, wherein the coupling strap includes a clip on the first portion for attaching to the at least one loop of the inflatable device.
 9. The secure inflatable system of claim 7, wherein the coupling strap includes a clip on the second portion for attaching to the loop on the second end of the body of the inflatable securing device.
 10. A method of securing an inflatable comprising the steps of: providing an inflatable securing device, the inflatable security device having a body with a first end and a second end, the first end having a tapered, pointed tip and the second end having a loop formed thereon, the body further including a middle portion between the first end and the second end and having a spiral shape; providing the inflatable, the inflatable having at least one loop attached thereto; securing the inflatable securing device into a surface by using the looped portion as a handle and employing a screwing motion to drive the tapered pointed tip into the surface; providing a coupling strap having clips for attaching to the inflatable and the inflatable securing device; securing one of the clips of the coupling strap to the at least one loop of the inflatable; and, securing another one of the clips of the coupling strap to the loop of the inflatable securing device.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of: providing a second coupling strap having clips for attaching to the inflatable and the inflatable securing device; and, securing one of the clips of the second coupling strap to another loop of the inflatable.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the inflatable has a polygonal shape and the at least one loop is attached to a corner of the base.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the inflatable has a polygonal shape and the at least one loop is attached to an edge of the base.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein a portion of the first end of the inflatable securing device adjacent to the tapered, pointed tip having an axis, the axis being parallel to a body axis of the body of the inflatable securing device, the body axis being defined by a line from the first end to the second end.
 15. An inflatable attraction comprising: an inflatable body, the inflatable body having a first surface located on the perimeter of the inflatable body; and, at least two straps attached to the first surface of the inflatable body, each of the two straps having a coupling device for securing the inflatable body.
 16. The inflatable attraction of claim 15, wherein each strap is configured to couple to a security device.
 17. The inflatable attraction of claim 15, further comprising two additional straps attached to the inflatable body.
 18. The inflatable attraction of claim 15, wherein the inflatable body has a plurality of corners and the straps are disposed at the plurality of corners of the inflatable body.
 19. The inflatable attraction of claim 16, wherein each security device comprises an elongated section of wire having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion having a tapered, pointed tip and the second end portion being connected back onto the wire itself to form an opening, the body further including a middle portion between the first end portion and the second end portion having a spiral shape 